The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL was so cute and made me feel literally all the emotions. After Yami is outed at her old school by her ex-best friend (and crush) and starts getting bullied, she and her brother decide to start anew at Catholic school. The only problem is, unlike her old school, it's mostly white, and she feels like she doesn't get to be her whole authentic self living in the closet.

One thing I loved about this book was all the nuance. Exploring one's cultural identity when one feels isolated from it. The conflict when faith turns to sanctimony. Loving your parents but being afraid that they won't love you for who you are. The adultification of children of color, and the very real fear of what happens when you get kicked out of your home. Mean girls. Redemption stories. The discussion of how "coming out" is a privilege and isn't always safe. Depression and suicide. Rejection and acceptance. And love, in so many forms.

Sonora Reyes totally outdid themselves with this book, okay? I felt like I was reading a real Latina girl's diary. I laughed, I cried, and felt real anger on behalf of this girl, who I got to know over the course of the 300-or-so pages of this book. I loved Cesar, and her mother. I loved Bo, and the gay joy of her existence. I loved Bo's parents. I loved how Latinx culture was inserted into the book and colored the heroine's world. I loved this book.

I see complaints about how YA these days seems too afraid to tackle the tough stuff. If you've been complaining about that, too, you need to read this book. In a sea of YA where the young characters feel like a mouthpiece for their adult authors, Yami feels like an authentic teenage voice.

4.5 to 5 out of 5 stars